Marking stamp



P 1932- D. H. HARDY. 1,879,982

MARKING STAMP Filed Oct. 14, 1950 Patented Sept. 27, 1932 warren STATES Parent caries DONOVAN H. HARDY, 0F MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO EILIE V. SKAB, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA MARKING STAMP Application filed October 14, 1930. Serial No. 488,618,

This invention relates to an improved self inkingmarking stamp. One object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be employed for effectually marking articles of wearing apparel or the like.

- Another object of the invention is to provide a marking stamp having opposed faces with letters or other desired marks on each of said faces so that the handle may be inverted for selective use of the letters or marks on either of said faces, and wherein the handle will be of such formation that, when it is grasped by the user, he can ascertain without visible reference thereto which letters or marks are being employed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a reversible marking stamp wherein the letters are formed of an ink composition so that the device may be used, repeatedly without recourse to a stamp pad, the letters being adapted to print when moistened.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character employing means for preventing unnecessary diffusion of the ink embodied in the letters.

Other and incidental objects of the invention not mentioned in the foregoing will be apparent during the course of the following description.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein,

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the device,

Fig. 2 is an end view of the device,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a block of solid composition from which the letters may be formed, and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a slight modification of the invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, I employ a handle 1 which is formed preferably of wood and is substantially I-shaped in cross section, the handle having a relatively narrow top face 2 and a relatively wide bottom face 3, the top and bottom faces being flat and being disposed in parallel relation to each other. As seen more clearly in Figs. 1 and 2- of the drawing, the handle is provided with inwardly curved side walls 4 which define longitudinally disposed finger grooves 4: for said handle, the grooves being disposed substantially medially between the top and bottom faces 2 and 3.

Mounted upon the top and bottom faces 2 and 3 of the handle are indicia or marking elements 5 which,in the present instance, are shown as-being in the shapeof letters. How: ever, these elements may be shaped to provide appropriate identifying marks or may be of any other approved shape. The elements 5 may be cut from a stick 5 of solid india ink. However, if preferred, any ap proved plastic coloring substance may be employed, said substance being preferably indelible. Considering a single element or letter as typical, the plastic coloring substance is forced through a suitable dye to form a stick having the cross sectional shape of the desired letter or element, when the stick is placed upon a wire screen for a suitable number'of hours until the stick dries somewhat, when the stick is cut oil crosswise at suitable intervals to form the elements or letters. These elements or letters are then allowed to dry thoroughly, when they are given a coating of suitable water proofingmaterial. The elements or letters are then secured to the handle preferably by water proof glue, when of paint or the like, after which the paint is removed from the working surfaces of the elements or letters. If desired, water proof glue may be mixed with the coloring substance to serve as a binder aswell as also.

the spreading offthe ink will be prevented insofar as possible. As will be understood, the elements or letters may be of any approved color, red and black being most commonly employed.

- In use, the working surfaces of the ele- The element or el ments 5 on the top face 2, of the handle 1 may be identical in shape with the element or elements 5 on the bottom face 3 of said handle but of a different color.

Also, if desired, the element or elements on the top face may be of a different shape from the element or elements on the bottom face and attention is now directed to the fact that, asthe handle is widened toward its bottom face, the user may ascertain, by feeling the handle, which element or set of elements is presented for u'se. As will be appreciated, this feature ofthe device will materially contribute to the convenience thereof and should the wrong element'or set ofelements be presented downwardly, the stamp may be easily and quickly inverted in the hand so as to present the desired element or'set of elements for use.

Referring now more particularly to the modification of the invention as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing, the numeral 6 indicates a handle which, like the handle of the preferred form of the invention, is formed preferably of wood and is provided with a fiat bottom face 7, the side walls of the handle being curved inwardly to provide longitudinally disposed finger grooves 8. As will be observed, the top portion of the handle is rounded to permit a'smooth surface for manual engagement. Formed in the handle medially of its ends and disposed within the limits of the finger grooves 8 is a transversely disposed aperture 9 and extending through the aperture is a-flexible cord 10, the cord being looped about the upper portion of the handle to form a slip knot so that accidental dis lacement of said cord will be prevented." 3 arried at the free end portion of the cord is a preferably soft rubber sponge 11, the end portion of the cord being knotted for securing the sponge in position thereon. Adhesively or otherwise secured to the face 7' of the handle 6 are elements 12 which are of the same formation as the elements 5 of the preferred form of the invention. The sponge 11 is conveniently mounted in conjunction with the handle so that said sponge maybe moistened and employed for moistening the working surfaces of the elements 12.

Aside from the foregoing, the modification ofthe invention is identical with the preferred form and functions in like manner. 7 It has-been found by experience that, when using thedevice, it is best to place a small amount of Water upon a level surface and then rub the stamp against this wet surface until a dark liquid is formed. The stamp is then pressed in this liquid vbefore each imprinting operation, care being taken, of course, to shake off any excess liquid adhering to the letters so that danger of blotting will be prevented. By holding the stamp upside down enough water can be carried for several markings.

The stamp should not be placed in an excessively hot ordry place as cracking of the letters might result.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

A hand stamp including a handle having opposed faces, marking elements mounted on said faces and each formed of a solidified inking substance adapted to be moistened on its working surface for making an impression when applied to an article to be'marked, said marking elements being coated with a waterproof material, and waterproof means secur ing said elements to said faces, the handle being invertible within the hand of the user for presenting either of said elements for use and said handle being widened toward one of said faces whereby the element mounted on said face may be identified by feeling the handle. V.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

DONOVAN H. HARDY.

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